Phylogeography of a dominant desert lizard reveals the synergistic effects of topography and climate dynamics on diversification in arid eastern-Central Asia.

ABSTRACT: Comprehensive phylogeographic insights require the integration of evidence across diverse taxa, ecosystems, and geographical regions. However, our understanding of the arid biota of the vast Asian drylands remains limited. Accordingly, this study combined phylogeographic analyses with ecological niche modeling to investigate patterns of diversification and demography of the Central Asian racerunner ( Eremias vermiculata), a widespread lizard inhabiting arid eastern-Central Asia (AECA). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences were obtained from 876 individuals across 113 localities, while three nuclear genes- CGNL1, MAP1A, and β-fibint7-were sequenced from 204, 170, and 138 individuals, respectively. Analyses identified four distinct mtDNA lineages corresponding to s

SUBMITTER: Ali A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12361902 | biostudies-literature | 2025 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature